Woah Its been tooo loooong.....

Hi Blog, let me reintroduce myself.  I know its been a while but I'm ready to catch up.  Its now been almost a month since I've been back from my exciting adventures in Vancouver.  Its been bittersweet in the sense that I'm happy to be home to see my family and friends and boyfriend, but I miss the work I was doing, the new friends I made and the beautiful, beautiful mountains of BC.  It was an ok transition back.  I'm working really hard at transitioning to a new role at the Y.  I've had fun and loved the opportunity to work in the position I'm in at the location I'm at, I'm just ready for a new challenge.  I'm sure I'll keep you posted blog, as I am now settling down a bit from the "lets get lunch and chat", "how about happy hour" which I love cause my friends missed me as much as I missed them. 

I like this blog because I get to talk about the stuff I really like: Music, Social Issues and not to sound too arrogant, ME.  I recently got an iPhone...I know what you're thinking. "What about your trusted, scratched flip phone you've had for the last three years" ...well, it has been recycled and I've taken a very, very serious step in my relationship and got on his plan.  I know, its a big, big step after dating for a year. But, I like money and it saves me a lot of it.  Anyway, I'll be able to blog even more about stuff I like, so get ready....

First, the music part.  I have newly discovered (because I have an iPhone now) the wonderful world of Spotify.  So glad i did too because have a lot of catch up to do with bands and their new albums I didnt get to listen to while I was in Canada. 

One group I'm really digging is Wild Belle.  It is a group of two people from Chicago, Natalie and Eliot Bergman.  I think they are brother and sister.  But anyway, they have this great reggae-esque chill vibe with a sultry sax and Natalies voice that is smooth as can be, kinda "erykah badu-ish. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EtYBbPH-kw

(for some reason I can't post the video so heres the link)

Its excellent!

On another note, in my travels I met a lovely girl, Julia Satlari from Argentina who gave me an essay to read by Eduardo Galeano called "The Right to Delirium".  It is a really interesting essay about history and how we have the right to imagine what we would like in the future, a world.....

Where the air will be clean of every poison that doesn’t come from human fears and human passions
Where the TV will no longer be the most important member of the family, but will be treated like the clothes iron or the washing machine; 
Where people will work to live and will not live to work; 
Where nobody will die of hunger, because nobody will die of indigestion
Where street children will not be treated like garbage, because there will be no street children
Where rich children will not be treated like money, because there will be no rich children
Where perfection will continue to be the absurd privilege of the gods, but in this untidy and messed-up world, every night is lived as if it is the last and every day as if it is the first

a few excerpts from the essay that i liked and a little food for thought.  To read the entire essay go to

http://www.normangirvan.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/the-right-to-delirium_doc.htm

The Ripple Effect

It's funny when things happen at opportune moments. Maybe it's like horoscopes; you see the stuff you want, when you want to. Maybe it's a matter of the cosmos putting people together at exact moments. Either way, when Julia and I chatted with a stranger while we contemplated going to a drag show, (what? its friday night and we were looking for some laughs) what he said was profound for not knowing us or what we were doing in Vancouver. 

Randomly, he started talking to us about the ripple effect of one person touching the life of another. He said, "everyday you could effect hundreds or thousands of lives." Helping someone, a smile to a stranger on the bus, reaching out to a youth, these seemingly minor things can effect them, which can effect the people they are surrounded by, which can continue to effect more and more people exponentially and over time. Can you imagine that impact? 

It was an interesting conversation, not necessarily because of the content but because of the way I was feeling at that moment. Finishing my learning week and learning so much about different non profits and programs in Vancouver really energized me to get back to work and didnt exactly excite me to go back to camp. Working at camp, working with youth, at the Y etc can be very exhausting. Sometimes you can begin to feel run down, out of control or crazy. But, this strangers brief conversation flipped that mentality and helped me to realize that the young people I get to hang out with next week could have their lives changed in a moment, and I could be the person to do it. Heck, I could have just saved the world (which is my ultimate goal) by having an impact on a youth who just may someday come up with a totally sustainable form of earth friendly energy which in turn could solve the energy crisis. Hey, it is totally possible. 

So, may the ripples continue outward from the center, which at any given moment at any given place could be you. Thanks stranger on the street, I'm glad I got to be a ripple in your wave pool.

           

On another note, I would like to go back to adding a musical element to my postings. Why have two blogs when I can just kill two birds with one stone. So, with this topic I'd like to include a link to a local Vancouver band that I'm currently rockin out to. They at The Zolas, sweet indie rock that's got a fun vibe that will definitly make your head bob, automatically. Even while trying to save the world I can still find time to soak up the BC music scene.

 

Gambier Island

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life. -Samuel Ullman

Well time is flying although I'm only almost halfway done, and already I have hundreds of ideas, so much information bouncing around in my brain and ideas like lightning bolts in a serious electric storm. I'm currently on my learning week and have sooooo much to say about it thus far, but I'll try to leave off where I started last post. 

So last I left I was starting my two weeks with the LD1 leadership campers. They were the greatest kids and because they were older I was totally able to connect with them and have real social issue discussions.  As part of this program we go on a bit longer out trip than the regular campers.  So we got to be the first group to ever take sea kayaks all the way around Gambier island which is an island off the sunshine coast near camp elphinstone. It was beautiful and exhausting but I think everyone really felt accomplished at the end and enjoyed it. Heres a couple photos.....

I'll be able to post more often because I have this amazing new app that helps me organize my blog thoughts. So the next series will be information about my learning week and the incredible social programs that are going on in Vancouver. 

One day til showtime....

Wow. it is hard to believe that it has already been three weeks here on the Sunshine coast.  Soooo much has happend and every day is full of training.  We spent our first week in Vancouver and got to enjoy a lot that it has to offer.  I went to the Vancouver Aquarium which is a beautiful huge place.  And also went for bike rides around stanley park among many other activities.  These things were all strategically placed inbetween hours and hours of trainings.  We had intercultural communication training (we still are all struggling with it :) The array of accents and literal vocabulary make for some interesting miscommunications at times.  But, usually its all very funny.  We also had some conflict resolution training and then headed off to camp Elphinstone.

We have now been at YMCA Camp Elphinstone for two weeks.  Two solid weeks of training.  We have met the staff which are all great but are also children.  The camp operates with volunteers and staff. The volunteers are all 17 years old and most of them have worked through the camp program and are now "training" to be paid staff next year.  I'm by far the old lady on the block.  at least 2 years older than the next oldest. ha.  A girl actually said to me yesterday, "you are 11 years older than me, holy crap" nothing like making an old girl feel older.  Plus, i was talking about Bobby's World and some childhood cartoons and non of these youngsters had a clue what i was talking about.  Times are achangin' 

But, I've learned a lot, and the leadership and maturity (for the most part) is very impressive.  The camp does an amazing job turning youth into leaders.  Which brings me to my first assignment.  I will be a group leader for the two week camp of LD1 which is the Leadership Development first group.  This is the older kids who dont reallly got to traditional camp anymore.  we work on things like hard skills, outdoor living, How to teach archery, canoeing, kayaking etc and not just how to do it.  I'm pretty honored to be a leader for the leadership program right off the bat.  It will be a blast and include a 3 day out trip where we will camp and canoe somewhere around Gambier Island. 

After that two weeks I'll be on my "learning week" so i'll head back to Vancouver for a week and begin my meetings and volunteering with local non profits.  I'm really looking forward to this week and hope to learn a ton about YMCA programs in Vancouver. 

The YPN'ers are all good.  They seem to be struggling a bit with some of the language barriers.  But, they like to have me around to explain stuff in a little clearer and slower pace.  Its amazing to realize how fast and poorly people talk until your with 13 non english speakers and they all look at me after someone says something.  But, they all hold their own.  We're pretty excited to do our global education to the youth.  We have some great ideas and have learned some very interesting ways of teaching. 

We did lose a YPN participant who had to leave because his father was ill. its really sad because he was from Kosovo and I was sooo looking forward to learning about the history of Kosovo.  He lived through the war and had some pretty interesting stories about life before, during and after.  Lets just say he is a big fan of Bill Clinton. He will be very greatly missed.

Everythign else is pretty good.  I'm excited to get into camp. We will have Camp Moomba which is a special camp for HIV/Aids youth adn people affected by it.  I'm really interested in being a part of this camp.  I'll have more info about it later.  Also, I may have the chance to go to another camp waaaay up north about 8 hours from vancouver.  well see on that too.

I'll post more soon.  Its very hard to get to a computer since we have 1 for about 100 staff and the WiFi goes in and out.  But, I'll try to post more often.

Miss everyone and see you soon!

Introducing YPN 2012!!

Well, I have arrived in Vancouver.  And so has everyone else with their versions of flight stories.  Delays, cancellations, person next to them fainting on the plane.  You know, the usual. We have all made it.  Representing YPN 2012 this year is:

Zenia- Lebanon
Julia- Argentina
Gigi- Senegal
Edita- Czech Republic
Kristina- Ukraine
Yoanna- Colombia
Cecilia- Ecuador
Edgar- Mexico
Chen- China
Jenny- Phillipines
Mo cha- Hong Kong
Artan- Kosovo
Andrea- United States
Robyn- Canada

I was so excited to learn where people were coming from.  I of course, am the oldest...probably be the mother hen around the city.  and Mo cha our spit fire Hong Kong girl is the youngest at 20.  We're just getting to know each other which isnt too hard when four of us are cramped in a tiny hostel room. But, i dont think it will take too long.  We have a looooooooooooot of training over the next three weeks. 

I'll have more to post with pictures and introductions to the program and participants as soon as I can get a bit more time on a computer. 

Chao for now!

Youth they are important EVERYWHERE.

Lakota Instructions for Living

Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be.

passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman

A year ago I got the opportunity to go to the Sioux YMCA for two weeks on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.  For 6 years, the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities have been sending staff to run summer youth programs in partnership with the Sioux YMCA in Dupree, SD in the smaller communities on the reservation.  We went in groups of 3 and each day would go to two different communities in a van loaded with basketballs, baseball equipment, arts and crafts, and whatever else we could fit besides ourselves.  It is an excellent staff development and cultural peice as well as one more layer to the vastness of how the Y is dedicated to communities. 

The Cheyenne River Reservation is a beautiful, magical place besides the extreme poverty of the communities and social problems they face.  The "amber waves of grain" really come to life here.  And the spirit of the youth is unlike anything.  In this world of young people "needing" the latest fashion, video games, movies etc. the youth on the reservation have giant smiles and they may not have shoes.  They are a joy to see everyday. 

So this year, when I got a  phone call from my teammate from last year who is there again this year, that one of our kids (they are "our" kids by the time you leave, because you kind of want to steal them) had committed suicide last fall it really hit me.  Royce, a 14 year old leader, and one of the older kids in the community had started to dabble in alcohol and drugs.  A reality that is too common for the young people on the reservation.  He must have found his life too hard, and chose to end it.  I can't put into words the saddness that overcomes me when I think of this kid, a great athlete, with big smiles playing softball with us found this world too hard. 

No young person should find this world to hard. 

On another note, I got to hear from some of the kids i met last year with from my former team mate.  They say "hi" they miss me and actually remember me. Wow, if that doesn't make you warm and fuzzy. 

The work is important in this forgotten land.  These are young people with just as much potential and are the exact same as the kids as in the inner city or down the street.  They just need nurturing and the avenue and support to be successful.  The Cheyenne River Reservation is not done yet.  Let the healing begin.

Here are a few pictures of the reservation and kids:

To learn more about the YMCA Sioux Y Initiative check out their blog at http://siouxymcainitiative.blogspot.com/ or to make a donation to the Sioux YMCA  http://www.siouxymca.org/

View from the Ferry

Here is an email I received today.  Its getting really close to V-Day.....

Hello everyone!

Yesterday I was out visiting the Camp Elphinstone (where you will be this summer). To get there from Vancouver you need to take a 40 min ferry ride and it was a beautiful sunny day for the trip. The view of the mountains from the ferry was lovely so I took this photo and thought I’d share with you:-)

All the best!

Robyn

--
Robyn Heath | Program Director - Community Operations
YMCA of Greater Vancouver

You Are Free by Mates of State

Stop telling me the right way to go
I'm on my own
You're selling our old ways
Stop telling me the right way to go

You are free
You are free
Living things need to be free
You are free
Like everything wants to be

"You Are Free" by Mates of State

I heard a funny joke by a Daily Show corrispondant John Oliver talking about how in America he saw in the store window a floating grill.  It was a grill with foam or whatever to keep it floating so you could grill WHILE you are swimming.  He said, "If that isnt the epitome of freedom, I dont know what is. You are free if you can grill while swimming"
He has a pretty funny view of Americans and American values (very left wing) but undeniable even to right wingers in Comedy Central special called "Terrifying Times" It's pretty funny if you have the time.

That stand up routine and then Mates of State coming up on my iPod as well as the meeting of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom meeting I attended this weekend made me think about consumerism and how good we Americans are at it.  Its amazing the amount of junk we can consume. It really is the epitome of freedom.  John Oliver also said, "Can Americans make the floating grill? Yes. Will Americans buy the floating grill? Yes.  Can China make the floating grill? Yes.  Will China buy the floating grill? NO." We as consumers are the only people who can change our current economic state, change politics and really be free.  Free from the junk and ideas that we NEED things.  Just because we can doesn't mean we should!

Challenge #1: Do not buy something new if the old still works.  i.e. I just said the other day, "I should get some new kitchen garbage bins." Why? "They are old and kinda smell" Really?? Wash them Andrea.  they are fine. 

Challenge #2: Buy local.  Not just in your neighborhood cause lots of times even that stuff is imported.  Really buy local, it might cost a buck or two more but if everyone did that our local economy would be stimulated and everyone would win.  And, we could rely less on imports and in turn rely LESS ON GOVERNMENT.  Personally, I dont want to ever get to the point that everything in my life is affected by the man.  I'll spend the extra $0.30 on the lettuce to try to move toward that. 

Challenge #3: Do something that makes you uncomfortable every day.  Being uncomfortable leads to growth.  And everyone can afford to keep growing.

"You Are Free" by Mates of State via YouTube

(Not the best recording but still good)

Ignorance and Furr

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
- Stephan Hawking

 

Ignorance.  Isn't everyone ignorant? You could be one of the smartest, most worldly, culturaly savvy people and still be ignorant.  There are tons of intelligent ignorant people.  Many times its the inability to question the things that are heard and people believing everything told to them. Thinking that you've learned enough.  Being set in your ways, traditions, ideals.  Things change and if you think you have more knowledge then everyone else, you have a lot to learn. 

I love learning anything and everything I can.  Someday I'll be wise.  But, I'll still have a lot to learn.  The Youth Peace Network will teach me a lot about a lot. I just realized yesterday that I leave in under a month and its the first time I'm nervous and scared.  I've been stressed out and I'm so close to hitting my fundraising goal and having things figured out.  So much to do, so little time. Plus, I'll leave and not see my sister for a year when she goes to Korea to teach English. But, its worth it. 

If I can erase even a little bit of ignorance in myself and then in others it will be totally worth it. 

Here is a song by Blitzen Trapper, a great band that I spend a lot of time singing to in the car.  Here is one of their best singles, Furr from the album Furr.  It is to me a song that talks about the changes from youth, running free and doing what you want, to adulthood and growing up; changing from "fur to skin".  Its a cool catchy tune and a band to check out. 

Do you know what a peace pole really means?

“Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end preexists in the means, the fruit in the seed” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

The actions that we do always have a reaction, a cause and effect.  I've been noticing this more and more in recent months.  Its how one day you see your life in one direction and the next you're pushed/embraced/pulled/thrown in another direction.  How one deals with the eminant change is a tribute to their charactor. 

Cause and effect is constant.  For me, it is the blossoming opportunities by meeting groups of people who are inspiring and interesting to say the least.  I sent out a letter, to organizations who work toward peace.  In turn i was contacted by a few and got to meet people who have a mission that most have been committed to for years. One of these is a group  recently went to meet with  called World Citizen and the Foundation for Global Citizens.  They were a group of about 10 people who get together twice a month and discuss the world. They put on events and speakers and this meeting I was invited.  One of the World Citizen goals is to educate people about local Peace Sites.  Which many of the YMCA's in the Twin Cities are. According to the Peace Pole Project, a Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There tens of thousands of Peace Poles in nearly every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.

International Peace Sites often have a "peace pole" that looks like this:

Of course, our peace pole at the Y does not have a beach in the background.  But, it does mean the same thing no matter where you are. 

Peace Sites are committed to:

• Seek peace within yourself and others
• Reach out in service
• Protect the environment
• Promote intercultural understanding and celebrate diversity
• Be a responsible citizen of the world

So now you know what it means when you see one of these.  (effect)

The other cause and effect situation I've found myself in is with the organization WILPF.  You may remember this organization from an earlier post.  The Women's International League for Peace & Freedom has invited me to be guest speaker at their "Coffee and Discussion" event. 

PEACE?

JUSTICE?

or . . . ?

WILPF  Coffee With Discussion

The Peace Movement:

            Hopes, Prospects, Priorities

Brainstorm with a panel of members on program ideas from US & International WILPF.

Plus hear a voice from a new generation—

Special guest Andrea Lewis, US Representative to the 2012 Youth Peace Network, a 3-month program this summer in Vancouver, BC, sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency & the Vancouver YMCA.

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 10 am–noon

Van Cleve Community Ctr., 901 15^th Ave. SE, Mpls

Refreshments, free, everyone welcome!

MN Metro Branch

Women's International League for Peace & Freedom (www.wilpfmn.org); 612-922-7993

I may not know anything about the future of the peace movement, but I may be living it so I guess I can just speak to what I know. 

Everything I have done to date has had a cause and effect.  Deciding I could never be a Banker, led me to Non Profit work. The YMCA led me to Vancouver. Who knows where Vancouver could lead. 

Side Note: Congrats to my sister Alicia Lewis who is graduating from college this weekend.  I'm so proud of her.  Now she has the degree (cause) and the effect is to be determined, but I know it will be great!

Good Career Advice from the New Guy

I heard some great career advice from my new coworker the other day that really hit home:

Heres what he said (in a nut shell):
I like to tell staff who are worried about their career and have expectations that they should be somewhere else in their career then they currently are that if you think about the "life of your career" it would be from about 22-62 (if your lucky). That is 40 years of working.  That means after you graduate and find a job you are a newborn.  If you've been in the working world and you are 28, your career is only 6 years old.  Your are barely in school yet.  So, be patient, your career needs to evolve and opportunities will present themselves when they are ready.  Don't be so ready or get down on yourself to get to a position you think you deserve.  You're probably just a baby and need to grow a bit more. 

I thought this was very wise from a coworker who is only a couple years older than me.  With his few words I have found a new sense of patience.  Its amazing the little things that can affect your being.  Thanks New Guy. 

Getting closer to V-Day.

A world that has become a single geographic unit is now groping its way, however slowly, toward global institutions as the only way of achieving common safety and common progress. A new world is waiting to be born.
--Norman Cousins




No V-Day is not Valentines Day, the V is for Vancouver.  It is crazy to think that it is already the 23rd of April.  Everyday is comes and goes so quickly.  I miss the days of youth when days seemed to last FOOOREEEEVVER.  Now your lucky if you work, run an errand or two, make dinner and have enough time to brush your teeth.  I guess it doesn't really help that my entire weekend was spent at work in Lifeguard training.  On that note I'd like to announce myself as a Certified Lifeguard and First Responder.  Why I took the training? Maybe because I'll be at a camp all summer and maybe because I have a thirst for knowledge.  Either way it was super good info that really everyone should know and I'm contemplating bringing up the training to family members so we can always be ready!


Now to fundraising for the Youth Peace Network.  I have to date raised $1300! I'm getting closer and closer and the out pour of support is amazing.  I do have to name two amazing donations by name because their support of me was overwhelming.  Mr. Skip Wilke, a looong time YMCA supporter of International initiatives and an overall super cool dude gave me a personal donation that has increased my contributions 25%! A big thank you to Skip and is believing in me!


Another amazing group of people gave a large donation is the Y Service Club.  The Y Service Club is a group of YMCA supporters who opperate very similar to a Lion's Club or Optimist Club.  They do different fundraising and community events every year to support YMCA programs and staff like a Christmas Tree Lot, Flower Sales and Pancake Breakfasts.  It is a group of awesome people who also believe in my ability to bring peace and global understanding to our community. 


I also have had two meetings with very cool organizations that had I not had this opportunity I may never have learned about.  One is the Citizens for Global Solutions.  Their Mission: We are a membership organization working to build political will in the United States to achieve our vision. We do this by educating Americans about our global interdependence, communicating global concerns to public officials, and developing proposals to create, reform and strengthen international institutions such as the United Nations. Very cool group who really make stuff happen.  I met with their president Dr. Joseph Schwartzberg who is a professor of Geography at the U of M and June Parrot a board member.  It was a great meeting and I'll soon know if they are going to make a contribution.  They also are interested in me becoming a board member.  So all in all a great meeting. 
Check out their website http://www.globalsolutionsmn.org/


The other group is the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.  Another cool organization that has a history of Peace advocacy starting during woman suffrage in 1915.  Their mission is to oppose war and the root causes of war, promote peace, social justice, racial equality and women's empowerment.  Sounds right up my alley.  I'll be going to talk to a larger group of members in May and hopefully secure some more funding. 


Now, on a personal note, I would like to introduce Evelyn Jean Lewis.  She is my new little niece, and is about 3 weeks old now.  I already LOVE being an aunt and cant wait to hang out with her again. 

And now to leave you with another musical styling that has been rocking my ear drums every day.  The band is First Aid Kit.  They are two women (i think from Sweden) who have a folky/country sound and incredibly haunting harmonies.  Check them out....

Elephant Gun

My brain is overwhelmed.  Everyday there is so much lately that I know that I'm going to miss something.  There is no way that any brain can physically keep track of the amount of information that needs to be processed.  Where to start? Which project takes precidence? Whats more important?
Maybe I need a motivational quote or a daily wisdom to help...

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
― Dr. Suess

 

Thank you Dr. Suess. There is no doubt in my mind that I will heed your advice and take inspiration from your words until I'm old and gray.  Sometimes simplicity rules all.  One day at a time, one project at a time, one task at a time.  Step by step my brain regains some structure. 

 

Elephant Gun, by Beirut, my favorite Zach Condon as lead singer, genius, behind this old world sound that is simple yet complex.  A lot like everyday. The horns, accourdians, strings everything creates a treat for the ears, and brain, a brain that could so use a treat right now.  

 

 

Circle of Life?

I saw this picture today online today and it was thought provoking to me. 

Its an interesting cartoon on how we humans polute and dump into our oceans and waterways and how will it affect the future chain of life.  If humans derived from evolution (which is what I believe being an Anthropology major and all) isn't it safe to say that other organisms and species have derived from water as well? In that sense, how many current and potential life forms are we currently killing because of our lifestyles.  It just made me think....

Anyway, fundraising is going good.  Thanks to everyone who has contributed! I'm currently at 18% of my goal. A ways to go yet but I am still confident.  I sent letters today to a bunch of Peace Organizations in Minnesota so hopefully they will see the value in this adventure and support me as well, since we have the same missions. 

I was recently put in touch with the 2011 YPN participant from the US and one from South Africa.  I'm really excited to talk to them about their experiences and have them help reaffirm why I'm going to leave my life for a few months, not make any money and go to a foreign country.  (Canada is foreign, even for a Minnesotan) Thanks Lisa Pung for making that connection!

Special thanks for donations from:

My amazing and wonderful monther, Beth Ann Lewis!

True good friends Amy Remitz and Jenny Miller, both who I've known for years!

My inspiring and awesome aunt Rita Rosenthal. 

An unexpected friend who I havent seen in a long time, Breck Lawerence.

And a coworker who lives his life simply and with purpose, Tom Pothen. 

Thank you all!!!

I just love this picture, brilliant.

Spring has Sprung!

Don't get me wrong, I'm going to assume that we're still going to get a downfall of snow randomly, something like 10 inches or so. Of course it will be gone the next day...but March is tricky in Minnesota. Either way, there is nothing like a 70 degree day to lift spirits and wake you up from the Daylight Savings hangover.

Fundraising is going slow but the support is overwhelming.  My friends, family, coworkers everyone so far is really excited and willing to help either fundraise or donate what they can. If anything I'm able to get the word out and talk openly about doing something bigger then me.

Anyway, you know those days where music just sounds better? Its like no matter what you put on, your body just fills with glee and you think, "I forgot how much I LOVE this song!" Well today is one of those days.  And here is what is making my stomach get butterflies, my eyes widen and my cheeks smile. 

Cloud Cult is one of my favorite local bands. They write songs that speak to peace and humanity as well as are environmentall conscious about all their business practices.  Their sound is holistic and all encompassing in that they know how to use many different instruments and voices and sounds to create something that is bigger than they are.  I think that may be why I'm so drawn to them.  Their lyrics are powerful and in my opinion Craig Minowa is a genius.  They have a great back story for a band and in this song chain reaction I think they speak to peace and coming together, saying "put out love and they'll feel love, it's a chain reaction."

Cloud Cult : Chain Reaction

This comes from their album "Tea Partying through Tornados" I highly recommend it!

And this song just made me want to dance today!

Kyle Andrews- Sushi

Enjoy and have a splendid day and remember "A little madness in the spring is wholesome even for a king!"

T-Minus 90 days and $2,000

Its always so odd when opportunities choose to present themselves. Whether its fate or luck or hard work finally paying off.  I believe that things happen for a reason. I recently applied for a job I thought I would be so great at. I had the experience to back it, I thought about it constantly, and studied up on interviewing and resumes, bought new clothes.  I was a shoe-in....

Nope. 

Whatever. I'm not bitter. In this economy you can apply to 100 jobs, be over qualified and not get an interview. There will be something else, eventually.  But then, what to my wondering eyes should appear? A new opportunity.  A real long shot.  Actually, a really really really long shot. 

Wanted: One person in the country to represent the United States at a global peace conference. 

That sounds awesome and I thought, "I'll give it a go, you can't get anything if you don't apply."  I quote myself saying that to my boss as well, after I assured him it's "virtually impossible." Needless to say virtually impossible is not impossible.  I was offered the position to be a Global Educator at the 2012 Youth Peace Network, the United States Representative.  That means, three months in Vancouver with leaders from around the world all working together to make change and create peace.  Sounds pretty good for a girl trying to save the world.

So, heres the jist.  From June 7-September 7 I will be in Vancouver with 16 other people, all from different countries.  The program is run through the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and takes place at Camp Elphinstone, directly on the ocean.  Pretty attractive to someone from Minnesota, where we are pretty much the furthest you can get from any ocean.  We will volunteer at the camp and lead global adventures for the young Canadian kids and meet with many NGO's dedicated to international affairs. We will build peace locally and globally by recieving training in intercultural communication, children's rights, global education, developing leadership skiills. Then we will create action plans and implement them in our countries. 

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a big step in my mission to leave this world better then when I got here. 

So, today I have 90 days to raise $2000 so that I can go.  I was granted my leave of absence (without pay of course) and am allowed to come back to my job (which is nice).  I'm asking for help to my friends and family as well as asking a few local organizations for a sponsorship.  Please help me get to this dream opportunity.  If I can get 40 people to donate $50 I'm set to go, if you can't do $50 anything helps and is very appreciated! To donate you can click on the PayPal button below or through ChipIn on the upper right of this page. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

If you do donate please let me know by leaving a comment so I can give you a proper Thank You!

Here is a video about the YPN.  2012 Youth Peace Network